The Associated Press
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (right) accepts an autographed Les Paul guitar from Sony Music Chairman and CEO Tommy Mattola (center) and singer Marc Anthony during ceremonies announcing the 2003 return of the 45th annual Grammy Awards to New York.

Grammy Awards move back to New York City

LARRY MCSHANE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Thursday, April 4, 2002

NEW YORK -- After a four-year hiatus, the Grammy Awards will return to New York next year for the 45th annual ceremony -- and it was a simple phone call from new Mayor Michael Bloomberg that sealed the deal.

"Only a couple of days after he was elected, the mayor called me up in the most humble tones," said Michael Greene, head of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, in announcing the Grammys' return to Madison Square Garden.

"We talked about the importance of bringing the Grammys back to New York," Greene said Wednesday. "To New York -- you've got a great new mayor."

The smiles were in contrast with the animosity between Greene and ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who had accused the academy chief of unleashing a stream of obscenities at a mayoral staffer back in 1998. Greene denied the allegation; Giuliani called him a liar.

When the Grammys moved back to Los Angeles the next year, Greene said the Giuliani dust-up was not a factor. But the Grammys stayed in California for the duration of the Giuliani administration.

Bloomberg deflected suggestions that his approach -- conciliatory rather than combative -- had lured the Grammys back. The Grammys' return said nothing about the two mayors' differing styles, Bloomberg insisted.

Giuliani, through a spokeswoman, declined comment. Greene -- who arrived for the news conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in a yellow taxi -- was effusive Wednesday in his praise of the ex-mayor.

"The way that Rudy Giuliani handled the last year of his mayoral term was brilliant," Greene said. "We're very, very thankful to the mayor for the things he did."

The 2003 show, the ninth time the Grammys will have come to New York, will be held Feb. 23. It will be the first time the Grammys are broadcast on a Sunday night.

The annual show generates an estimated $40 million for the local economy.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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